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As such, there’s a new serious alternative to theApple Watch Ultra 2in the Garmin Instinct 3.
So what are the main differences and similarities?
The Garmin Instinct 3 was unveiled in January 2025 as the successor to the popular Garmin Instinct 2.
As such, both are available right now to buy.
The new model is expected to feature high blood pressure detection, but no new design.
That gets you the 49mm case with GPS + Cellular functionality.
There are no other sizes or configurations, and only two colors.
The Instinct 3 offers a much broader array of models.
It’s available in three sizes: 40mm, 45mm, and 50mm.
It measures 49mm in height by 44mm in width and is 14.4mm thick.
The more compact and weightier package weighs in at around 61.5 grams.
That reflects the Instinct 3’s more traditional round design.
It’s significantly lighter at 52g, owing in part to its significantly less premium materials.
The bezel is made from a combo of fiber-reinforced polymer and aluminum, with the case polymer throughout.
The feel and finish of the Instinct 3 are considerably cheaper to the touch as a result.
It feels very plasticky in contrast to the premium brushed titanium of Apple’s offering.
The larger 50mm version (pictured) is decidedly bigger than the Ultra 2.
Conversely, the Instinct 3’s less premium design lends itself far more readily to the great outdoors.
Generally, the Instinct offers a wider range of colors including a few more enticing color options.
But the Instinct 3 is undeniably more fun and unserious, and a little more eye-catching as a result.
The Garmin is a lot cheaper and, as such, comes with a 1.2-inch/1.3-inch display.
The AMOLED display does offer always-on functionality, limiting the battery life to 7 days.
However, this screen is noticeably less detailed and bright compared to the Ultra 2.
It’s a really noticeable and very clear gulf, so the Apple Watch wins hands down.
Crucially, the Garmin also isn’t a touch screen.
You control the watch through with five buttons that let you scroll and navigate menus.
Display tech is a big divider between the two, and there are significant trade-offs each way.
The Garmin is cheaper, lighter, and significantly better when it comes to battery life.
However, the lack of touch screen is a pretty big miss.
The Garmin Instinct 3 range has a secret weapon, its Solar option.
Animations are sluggish and using the menus and controls feels more like usingMicrosoftPowerPoint than a smartwatch.
Garmin’s Instinct 3 has an absolute myriad of workout profiles.
There are the usuals like strength, cardio, stair-stepping, running, and more.
If it’s a discipline worth pursuing, you’ll find it on the Garmin Instinct 3.
It can be used for recreational scuba diving up to 40m as well as high-speed water sports.
There’s also the option of the Ocean Band for those who want the watch primarily for water sports.
The Instinct 3 is rated 10 ATM, which again means it’s good for 100 meters of submersion.
It also features activity profiles for swimming and a range of watersports including water skiing and tubing.
The Instinct 3 offers Bluetooth and ANT+, but you won’t find any cellular service here.
Both feature a compass for navigation, too, but again there are overall tradeoffs.
Battery-saver mode will get you up to 30 days, while GPS-only is rated for up to 40 hours.
The animations and interface of watchOS 11 vastly overshadow Garmin.
Garmin has incident detection during some activities and on your phone for wearables.
The location is determined using LiveTrack and creates a real-time feed of your location during an activity.
So the Instinct 3 offers a more limited experience of Garmin’s already fairly limited app offering.
Verdict: Maybe not so similar after all?
On paper, the Garmin Instinct 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 appear quite similar.
Both are rugged, outdoor smartwatches with hefty designs.
Underneath, however, they’re actually quite different.
In truth, I think they’re made for quite different audiences.
The Instinct 3 on the other hand is for those who want the most rugged and durable smartwatch period.
